WPCNR THE HOUSING NEWS. By John F. Bailey. July 3, 2009: The Westchester County Planning Board in a letter from Deputy Commissioner of Planning Edward Buroughs dated June 19, cautions the City of White Plains strongly not to pass the zoning change clearing the tracks to rebuild Winbrook by adding  Winbrook  into the Central Parking District. Mr. Buroughs says it violates  standard New York State Environmental Quality Review procedures. Nevertheless, council is proceeding on schedule for the approval Monday night.

The major zoning change is on track for a continuance of its public hearing Monday night and an expected  “super hot rush approval” by the Common Council  Monday evening because, because the White Plains Housing Authority.

Commissioner Buroughs advised the city June 19 that due to the “significant impact on community character, makes the concurrent review of detailed site plans and the proposed zoning amendment all the more important.”

Commissioner Buroughs expresses the county’s reluctance to bless the zoning change, after noting that  “Planning for a mix of fair and affordable housing to a range of incomes, integrated with commercial services, should set the framework for creating a more attractive, functional and vibrant community. We are further encouraged that the proposal calls for on-site relocation of current residents.”

However, Buroughs is troubled, nonetheless:

In a paragraph in a letter to Anne McPherson, the City Clerk, on “Procedural Considerations,” He writes:

“When zoning ordinance amendments are proposed in support of  a specific development concept on a specific site, the NYS Environmental Quality Review Act (SEQR) generally suggests that the evaluation of potential environmental impacts of the zoning action be considered in tandem with the evaluation of the potential environmental impacts of the proposed site development. To do otherwise could be considered  to be segmentation of the environmental review. While the most recent submission includes a conceptual site plan, it is impossible to conduct a full environmental review of the proposed site improvements without detailed site plans.”

Mr. Buroughs worries:

“Furthermore, we note from the site plan that the proposed development would include four 15-story towers, which would have substantial aesthetic impact on the character of the site and the surrounding neighborhood. The potential for such a significant impact

on community character makes the concurrent review of detailed site plans and the proposed zoning amendment all the more important.”

Mr. Buroughs closes with no green light:

“We respectfully request that the City forward additional materials related to this project, including full site plans, as they become available.”

The White Plains Commissioner of Planning, Susan Habel,  in her written discussion of the Zoning amendment to the Mayor and Common Council explains the White Plains Housing Authority has no money to execute a full environmental review at this time:

“Based on the amount of development contemplated by the Housing Authority, a full Type I Action environmental review, including an EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) should be prepared and reviewed for any future development of the Winbrook property.

It is not possible to conduct such a review at this time because with HUD (Housing and Urban Development) funding approval and the development of other public-private partnerships, the Housing Authority does not have the resources to undertake a full review and cannot determine what the full development program would be.”

At one of  presentation to Winbrook residents last Monday, attended by this reporter, the residents (17 attended by this reporter’s count),it was said that the zoning change at this time before an environmental review was so that White Plains Housing Authority can apply for Obama Administration “Stimulus Money” for the project, in addition to HUD funding.

Usually in SEQR Environmental reviews, the cost of the EIS is borne by the developer.

The Housing Authority position is that it needs the zoning to prove to HUD and potential developer partners that White Plains is in favor of the project.

Despite Mr. Boroughs' caveat received June22, the hearing is still on schedule and the council appears to be ploughing full steam ahead to pass the zoning.

The "detailed" site plans on the project so far that have been made public:

Overhead View

Street front and building rising above the setback, Corner of Quarropas and South Lexington Avenue.

Portion of South Lexington Avenue street, front, typical entrance to the new Winbrook, at right.